Comcast SportsNet Bay Area announced the five finalists for the 2008 All-Star Teacher Award. This award was established to acknowledge middle and high school teachers in Northern and Central California for their dedication to go above and beyond to guide their students in school and in the community. The finalists were chosen by a panel of community leaders for their hard work and dedication to helping their students stay in school.

The five finalists are Clyde Carpino of Fairfield High School (Fairfield, CA); Tommie Lindsey of James Logan High School (Union City, CA); Alan Nakamura of Alameda High School (Alameda, CA); Alicia Vosberg of El Camino High School (South San Francisco, CA); and Chris Wardlaw of Anzar High School (San Juan Bautista, CA).

The five finalists' biographies, along with videos, and photo galleries will be featured online at www.comcastsportsnet.com starting Friday, May 23. Video vignettes featuring the five finalists will air on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area from June 1 - July 11 during select Giants and A's pregame shows.

Members of the public can help select the 2008 All-Star Teacher by voting from May 23 through July 15 either online at www.comcastsportsnet.com or by filling out an official ballot form in the San Francisco Chronicle. The winner will be announced at AT&T Park during a Comcast SportsNet Bay Area telecast of the Giants Pregame Live on July 20. The 2008 All-Star Teacher will be presented with a check for $10,000 for his/her school. All-Star Teacher finalists were selected based on their accomplishments in four areas: Overall Commitment, Excellence in Teaching, Rapport with Students, and Level of Distinction.

The All-Star Teacher Award is a component of Comcast SportsNet Bay Area's annual Stay in School Challenge. The Stay in School Challenge is a community outreach program that rewards middle and high school students for perfect attendance over an eight-week period. Students in grades 6-12 in the Northern California/Northern Nevada region who maintain perfect attendance (no unexcused absences) can win tickets to a 2008 Oakland Athletics or San Francisco Giants home game. Since 1996, over 215,000 tickets to an Oakland or San Francisco baseball game have been awarded to students. For more information see ComcastSportsNet.com about Comcast SportsNet Bay Area.

Online Voting for All-Star Teacher until July 15 on ComcastSportsNet.com